Whether you call it acid reflux or heartburn, doctors warn the condition could be fueling a surge in cancers in the US.
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, leading to a ‘burning’ sensation in the chest and throat, a hoarse voice or hiccups.
Around 3million Americans are diagnosed with reflux, but research suggests over 80million deal with symptoms regularly and never see a doctor about it.
That concerns experts like Dr Daniela Molena, an oncologist in New York, because about one in 20 people with heartburn suffer damage linked to cancer.
Heartburn affects 60million Americans each month, but gastroenterologists warned that it would develop into the pre-cancerous condition Barrett’s esophagus (stock image)
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In these patients, the constant flow of stomach enzymes in the throat irritates the cells in the esophagus.
Medically known as Barrett’s esophagus, this irritation can lead to mutations that lead to the formation of tumors.
Dr Daniela Molena, Director of the Esophageal Surgery Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, said in a hospital blog post: ‘Barrett’s is a defense mechanism of your esophagus.’
‘When the esophagus is bathed in acid all the time, it wants to protect itself, and so the cells in the lining begin to change.
‘These changes can advance to become cancer.’
Acid reflux has also been linked to laryngeal cancer, a form of throat cancer that affects about 13,000 Americans and kills 4,000 every year.
Experts have noted that modern diets may be contributing to reflux becoming more common, as foods like citrus, high-fat foods, and fast foods can lead to excess levels of stomach acid, which damage the esophageal lining over time.
According to the American Cancer Society, there will be about 22,000 new cases of esophageal cancer in the US this year, along with 16,000 deaths.
Only about one in five patients are expected to survive for five years, and that number can dwindle to one in 20 if the cancer is caught in later stages.
The condition has also seen an alarming rise in the past few years. In 2022, a study found that rates of esophageal cancer in Florida adults ages 45 to 64 doubled from 2012 to 2017.
Additonally, cases of Barrett’s esophagus saw a 50 percent rise from 2012 to 2019.
Experts have suggested that the surge could be due to America’s growing obesity levels, as four in 10 US adults are considered obese. The extra fat is believed to squeeze the stomach, which leads to excess acid and increased risk of heartburn.
Dr Mimi Canto, Director of Endoscopy at Johns Hopkins Hospital, said in a hospital blog post that while most patients with Barrett’s esophagus won’t go on to develop esophageal cancer, ‘given how deadly this cancer is, it’s a condition needing attention and treatment.’
‘It’s not normal to have recurrent daily heartburn. Diagnosing Barrett’s esophagus and treating it before it can progress is a scientifically proven way to prevent cancer.’
Barrett’s esophagus is diagnosed with an endoscopy and biopsies. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering, patients with pre-cancerous cells should undergo an endoscopy every three to five years to check for cancer.
It’s usually treated with antacid medications and dietary changes.
